News Archive

-

Lead all the way
September 30 2002
By Bryan Hersh of 49ers Paradise
THIS CONTENT IS COPYWRITED, REDISTRIBUTION OF IT (including copy/pasting it to a message board, forum or bbs) IS PROHIBITED AND COULD RESULT IN LEGAL ACTIONS - feel free to quote up to 1 paragraph providing a source link to http://www.49ersparadise.cjb.net is included
One of the most encouraging aspects of the 49ers second victory of the season is that they were in the lead from the first score of the game, to the very end. Being in the lead, allowed the team to really dictate the pace of the game, and thus helped the team secure the win.

Obviously the most important of having the lead, is that you have it when the clock expirers, but you canít ignore the importance of being in the lead throughout the game. Given the 49ers struggles on offense, having been in the lead throughout the game allowed them to change up their offense a little resulting in a win, despite the team being sick and down at quarterback.

There was a time when the 49ers rarely had to come from behind. They have since learned that they can win when down in the fourth quarter too, and in the past few years, have been playing much closer games. Itís important that the 49ers not become complacent, and that they go out and try and score on the first drive of every game.

The team has been known to script the first 15 plays on each half. This method developed by Bill Walsh, had to purposes. One of the purposes, which still holds true today, was to evaluate how the opposition would line up its defense on certain key plays. The other purpose was to get a score as quickly as possible - this I believe has become the forgotten aspect on the script.

The 49ers need to get back to scoring early, and they need to start playing with a lead. That is the step this team needs to take in order to be regarded as a contending team again. They have the team and the coaching staff to get out in front, and if they can do that, they will have a much better season.